News

The artillery gun was moved back to its place at the front of the building early on September 21, 2016. The backhoe and crane needed to move it were operated by WAVP Chairman Darrell Blasberg.

We are proud to introduce Sara Stephens as the first General Manager of the soon-to-be opened Veterans Center. WAVP Chair Darrell Blasberg says, "on behalf of the WAVP Board, we are delighted to welcome Sara to our team. With her background and expertise, she will be an excellent complement as we lead our organization to its next level."

Dedication services for the new building are scheduled for Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM.

Ms. Stephens was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She graduated from Waterloo East High School in 2000. She joined the United States Army in 2003 as an Army Reservist in a Military Police Unit. Her unit was deployed to Iraq in 2004. Upon her return, she remained in the Army Reserve until 2010.

Sara and her husband Cory live in the Waverly countryside with their two sons, Colton (9) and Wyatt (6). Cory serves the community as a police officer with the Waverly Police Force. He is also a current Army Reserve Career Counselor. Sara was previously employed with CBE Companies, Inc. of Waterloo, Iowa as a Project Coordinator. She is currently pursuing her degree in Business Administration at Upper Iowa University.

If you are able to volunteer to help with any part of this year's Memorial Day activities, including assembling the Flanders Field, the Avenue of Flags, placing small flags on graves, or the clean up/takedown of those items, please contact Janell or Rich Miller at 319-230-9144 or the WAVP at 319-483-9287. Leave your name, contact number, and time when you're available to help. Thank you.

Updated Mar. 28, 2016
Added a couple shots of the masonry work.

Updated Mar. 7, 2016
Still coming along nicely. Thanks again, Mike!

We have a few photos to share from the construction site of the WAVP Veterans Center. They're currently at the top of our gallery. These were shared with us by American Legion member Mike Kukral, along with a few photos from a September Honor Flight and the 9/11 Memorial in Green Bay, WI.

There's lots more to see in the gallery, and we'll crosspost what we can on our Facebook page. Speaking of which, there's even more to see there in the Visitor Posts sidebar, so thanks to everybody who's done outreach, sent photos, or even mentioned us in passing.

The following appeared on the front page of the August 13, 2015, edition of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. It has been republished on this website with permission from the author.

Some didn't think it could happen.

But anyone with doubts this community would come together to provide a new home to be shared by multiple veterans organizations can now see proof.

The new Waverly Area Veterans Post is going up at 1300 Fourth St. NW overlooking the Cedar River on the site of the former Waverly Veterans of Foreign Wars building.

For those involved in the project, dating back to flooding seven years ago, it's a sight to see.

Updated July 2, 2015 with new times

WAVP Canteen hours have been adjusted. They are now 4-8pm Monday-Thursday, 4-10pm on Friday, and 2-10pm on Saturday. Beverages are available, but snack foods are not. Frozen pizza may be an option in the near future.

Thursday food night is now being filled quite well. If you and your friends are interested in getting on the schedule with an event from 5:30pm-7:30pm, call 319-483-9287 during canteen hours or email Michelle Ferguson ( ) for details and scheduling.

Future changes will be announced on this website as well as elsewhere.

The forms have been set, the reinforcement rods have been installed, and the concrete trucks are going by my house (I live on Fourth Street NW). It is now Friday afternoon, June 19, 2015. Construction has begun on the WAVP Veterans Center in Waverly, Iowa.

Stay tuned in for more to come. And if you are so inclined, you may still contribute financially to the endeavor. All donations are tax deductible and will be appropriately recognized.

Also, for those who might have missed it or do not live local, KCRG did a piece on the WAVP Veterans Center effort for their Our Town segment. You can read about it here or watch the segment below.

Thursday, May 21, 9:00 AM: Place small flags on veterans graves in Harlington Cemetery, while also setting up Flanders Field. Volunteers are needed and appreciate for both activities.

Saturday, May 23, 9:00 AM: Setup the Avenue of Flags at Harlington Cemetery. We will need lots of volunteers to help.

Monday, May 25: Memorial Day parade and service. Waverly AMVETS Post 79 is in charge of the program this year. All veterans service organizations will have a blended Color Guard for the parade. The parade begins at 10:30 AM from Waverly Civic Center, and participants should report there by 10 AM, ahead of the scheduled start.
Lunch will be served afterwards by the AMVETS Auxiliary at the Legion Hall north of the cemetery for those attending the service.

Monday, May 25, 2:00 PM: Gather flags from the graves at Harlington Cemetery
4:00 PM: Take down Flanders Field and Avenue of Flags at Harlington Cemetery. Help will also be needed to take down and store the flag poles.

Thanks in advance to those planning to come by and help out.
Have a safe weekend!

The following is an editorial from the April 29, 2015 edition of the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, reprinted here with permission.

Sometimes, mergers just make a lot of sense. Whether that is in the business world, government services, school districts - or any number of entities - you weigh the pros and cons and move forward.

Last Week, a groundbreaking ceremony served as a symbol of determination of those who have worked and supported the concept of a new Waverly Area Veterans Post — a collaborative effort among members of various Waverly veterans' posts and the community at large.

"I want to say hello to you as a neighbor, but never have I been more proud as neighbor as I am today," said retired U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Evan "Curly" Hultman of Waterloo at the groundbreaking for the new post. "We serve together, all of us here today, and especially you guys and gals who have served our country, not just in the military but in so many capacities of life."

The following is an excerpt from a letter written by Mike Helm, the National Commander of the American Legion, about the upcoming Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day (March 30, 2015). You're invited to read the entire letter at this link.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, servicemembers returning home from duty in Southeast Asia were often greeted with protest signs, defamatory chants, spit and worse – a stark contrast to the way veterans returned home from battle after World Wars I and II. Thankfully, post 9/11 generation veterans do not have to duck into airport restrooms to change from their uniforms to civilian clothes as some Vietnam veterans were forced to do.

To this day, I don't understand why my fellow Vietnam veterans were ever treated like they were the enemies. But I am grateful that times have changed, that we welcome home with open arms our men and women who serve in harm's way and now, belatedly, offer thanks to those of my era, as well. Specifically, the annual celebration, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, recognizes this remarkable group.

Continued at legionemail.com ...

March 24: Updated with photos

The Waverly Area Veterans Post (WAVP) relocation committee would like to THANK the following volunteers that helped move equipment from the VFW to the American Legion Building for storage and prepare the Legion building for occupancy. Whether you helped one hour or spent several days, your assistance was and is appreciated. If we overlooked someone, please accept our apology and let us know so we can add your name to the list of volunteers.

Updated July 2, 2015 with new times

Hours of operation for the WAVP Canteen in the Waverly Legion Hall are Monday–Thursday 4PM–8PM, Friday 4PM–10PM, and Saturday 2PM-10PM. The entrance to the Canteen is the south door on the east side. Any change in hours will be announced when they are made. Any special hours will be announced with the event or activity.

Thursday Food Nights will be added in the future as they are planned and posted on the calendar. The only one currently announced is AMVETS Auxiliary for Thursday, March 26, 5:30PM–7PM.

The future of the à la carte menu is uncertain at this time. The necessary equipment and short order cooks need to be available. Plans are still to add it in the future and will be announced when added. Meanwhile ask the manager what alternatives are available.

The WAVP Breakfasts will continue on the second Saturday of every month from 7:30AM to 10:00AM.

For those who may be concerned about it, the Canteen has been approved for use for food and beverage service by the Black Hawk County Health Department.